Kanyike Family

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior,
the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 3:20

Dear Friends and Family,

God Bless America!

We are praising God! The Kanyike Children are finally Americans!

We want to thank everyone who has been praying for this day for so long. It was hard to remain hopeful and believe it would finally come to pass we could not have done it with out you.

I never thought it would take my children so long of a time to legally become my children or to be Americans. The process of both was very long.

I became a mother in June 2010 when I first met Luke, then again in 2011 and 2014 with Laylee and Liana. Each of these gifts from God were miraculous to Brian and I. With Luke, the elders of the church had prayed for me on a Wednesday to get a baby. On Friday, a friend who was adopting, as well as a friend who worked for the babies home called me that a baby had just arrived that they were sure was ou son. By the following Monday, Brian and I, began the process for bringing Luke home.

With Laylee, we had taken a couple from the USA to a different babies home to meet the baby they were matched with. We saw Laylee then and inquired about her. At that time, that particular babies home only did international adoptions. A couple months later we were contacted out of the blue and asked to come in for a meeting. They told us that they were beginning to do in country adoptions and they had a baby they thought was multicultural and wanted to place her with a mixed couple. It was Laylee. She came home 5 days later.

In 2014 my nephew was visiting. He is adopted and wanted to visit a baby home to see how adoptions were done in Uganda. It was on that visit we met Liana. I knew immediately she was my daughter but were told that she was not adoptable because she might not be Ugandan. I prayed because I knew she was ours. 4 months later they called and asked if we still wanted Liana. Of course I said yes. She came home 3 days later. Each of our children are a miracle. We thank the Lord everyday for giving us these precious gifts.

In Uganda you have to have the children in your home for 3 years before they will finalize the adoption.  When Luke was 4 we began the process for him and Laylee to be finalized. Every couple months we would be given a date for court only to arrive at the courthouse and be told it was canceled. This went on till 2017 when finally after many failed attempts and tears we were able to finalize the adoption of all three children. This picture was us in our “Court Clothes”.

The next step was to apply for the children’s American citizenship.  We first applied for their USA visas so we could travel to the US.  We were granted visas in 2018. While we were waiting for the visas to arrive, we were contacted by Ugandan Social workers telling us that there was a new law that required a new special certificate to be issued for adoptions in order to apply for citizenship.  We traveled to the US as planned but we could not apply for citizenship at that time.  In 2020 we finally had the certificates we needed and planned to travel to US and meet with a lawyer.  My Father passed away and we travelled sooner than expected.  After the funeral we were waiting for our meeting with the lawyer when covid shut everything down.  Our meeting was canceled and we returned to Uganda.  I decided to gather the necessary documents and file the applications myself. I sent everything in the fall of 2020.  I was told we would be called in 6—18 months for an interview.  In May of 2024, we were finally called for our interview. I am so thankful for the immigration counselor we were paired with because he made the rest of the process so easy and not stressful. I am so happy to say that on June 11, 2024, the Kanyike children were sworn in as American citizens!

We are not finished yet. We have applied for the children’s American passports. They were denied once with a request for more certified proof  that they are my children and that I am American.  We have resubmitted and are praying all goes well and they will have their passports soon.  Please be praying for us that this happens and for them to be able to receive their social security numbers afterwards as well.

While we wait we are spending time with my family who the children haven’t seen since 2020. Luke and Laylee were able to celebrate their birthdays,14 and 13, for the first time with my family. As well, all the children celebrated their first 4th of July as Americans.

Thank you for praying for our family and for the ministry in Uganda.

In Him,

Brian, Jill, Luke, Laylee, and Liana

PRAYER REQUESTS

• We are so thankful for the many prayers that were answered for the Kanyike children to get their citizenship.
• Please pray for Arise Christian Fellowship and the FRM Guesthouse while the Kanyikes are away.
• Pray for that the Kanyike Children would get their American passports.
• Pray for the time the Kanyikes get tospend with Jill’s family and with her homechurch, Calvary Chapel Saving Grace.
• Pray for provision for the many expenses involved with getting the children’s citizenship, travel, and being in the States.
• Pray for Brian as he encourages and leads the ministry team at Arise Christian Fellowship over the internet /phone while away.
• Please prayerfully consider becoming part of the Kanyike Family support team.

Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. Acts 14:23

Dear Friends and Family,

Recently I shared about the church growing and maturing. It has been such a blessing to see the members grow and desire to serve the Lord according to the gifts they have been given.

Some of the people who have been serving have served with Arise Christian Fellowship since before the church even began and we were still meeting in our home. One of these is the Assistant Pastor, Deo Mukasa. Deo, went to Calvary Chapel Bible College with Brian and they graduated together. When Calvary Chapel Entebbe was first beginning he was a part of the church plant there. When Brian first felt called to begin the market ministry here in Kampala and we were have a Bible study at our house, he felt led to ask Deo to come and help out and assist him. For 10 years now the 2 men have served side by side.

As the Lord has been raising up more and more volunteers to serve at our church Deo has felt the Lord stirring his heart to plant a church in his village, a suburb to the west of Kampala, where he grew up. He said that about one year ago he was visiting and someone in the village asked what he was doing these days and he shared that he was a pastor at a church in Kampala. He was then asked why didn’t he come and share Jesus with the people of that village? Deo says that those words stayed in his mind like they were being said over and over. Then one day when he was reading his Bible he was reading about God punishing the Israelites for doing evil in His sight and how then after sometime they cried out to Him and He heard them and sent an army to deliver them. Deo says that the story pierced his heart and he felt that the man asking him to come was like the Israelites finally asking for God’s help and that the constant replaying of that request was the Lord calling Him to share Jesus with this village. Since January Deo has been going every Wednesday and evangelizing and sharing a Bible study with anyone that would listen. Like the beginning of Arise Christian Fellowship, they have just been meeting outside. A couple of people from our church have joined Deo in his mission to reach the people of Bujuuko. As they have been faithful to share Jesus, a lady from the community has been moved to offer them a room to meet in. With this blessing the team will hold their first Sunday church service this month.

I have said that Deo is not alone on the church plant team for Bujuuko.  As He has been praying and going there to minister, a team has formed around him to help out.  They began going with him just to pray but now they have all found a place where God wants them to serve. 

First there is Wilson.  Wilson is a young man in his twenties.  Deo has been discipling him. When Deo started going out to Bujuuko on Wednesdays Wilson would go with him.  On the church plant team he is helping with evangelism and logistics.  He is like the Timothy of Paul in the Bible.

Next we have Hope.  Hope is very active in our church.  She loves to sing and dance.  She serves in the Sunday school. She also translates for my Women’s Bible study.  Deo says that he is “vocally challenged” when it comes to singing. As the prayer and evangelism times turned into a study he began to pray for someone to lead worship.  When Hope heard this request she felt the Lord nudge her to step up and volunteer to help.

The final member of the team is Peace.  Peace is better known by most as Nalongo.  Nalongo means mother of twins.  She is not just a mother of one set but of two sets of twins.  Peace has been a part of our fellowship for many years.  We have known her pretty much since she got saved from her Muslim family over 14 years ago.  Peace has been helping in our Sunday school and is part of Women’s Ministry. Peace is amazing with children.  She is serving along side Deo teaching the children.

Recently we had a sending service for the whole team as they prepare to launch Sunday Services at Arise Bujuuko.  Deo gave his testimony of how God called him and what the response has been there in Bujuuko.  He introduced the members of the  church planting team. Brian and the elders laid hands on them and prayed for them.  The church also had some gifts to present to them to help them get started: chairs, and amplified speaker and a keyboard. After the service we celebrated with the cutting of a cake.  Brian and I, the team and the whole of Arise Christian Fellowship are excited to see what God is going to do.

Thank you for praying for our family and for the ministry in Uganda.

In Him,

Brian, Jill, Luke, Laylee, and Liana

PRAYER REQUESTS

• We are so thankful  for the many ways the Lord has blessed us and for everyone who supports us and the ministry in Uganda.
• Please pray for all the volunteers at Arise Christian Fellowship, both old and new.  Pray for them to be filled with the Spirit and gifted for the ministries they are doing.
• Pray for the new church plant, Arise Bujuuko.  Pray for the team to be filled and encouraged, pray for many people to come to know Jesus.
  • Pray also for Pastor Deo as he takes on the role of Senior pastor. Prat for him to be filled with the Spirit, led and guided in the new ministry.
• Pray for the Kanyike children as it seems likely they will be called very soon for their citizenship interview.
• Pray for Brian as he pastors and leads the ministry team at Arise Christian Fellowship.
• Please prayerfully consider becoming part of the Kanyike Family support team.

“He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. …”

Matthew 28:6

Dear Friends and Family,

He is Risen, He is Risen Indeed!

This time of year is always a great reminder of why we believe what we believe.  It is the reason for counting the cost and giving all we are to sharing the Gospel with the world.  There are many religions in the world but it is Christianity alone that has a risen, an alive, Savior. The resurrection of Jesus is our proof and our hope in everything God has promised us through his Word, both for this life and the kingdom to come.

As this is the foundation of our faith, we took time to celebrate each part of the resurrection story with our family at Arise Christian Fellowship.  We began with the Triumphal Entry or Palm Sunday. In Uganda, it really starts on Saturday as the street hawkers begin selling palm branches and people begin decorating with palm leaves.  Even the public transport decorate themselves for Palm Sunday. 

Keeping with tradition, at church we also handed out palm branches.  It was so amazing as we celebrated Jesus’ Triumphal entry through song and teaching  to see the church participating with the waving of the palm branches.  It made me feel as if I was in the story.  The choir had special music as well as singing the very familiar Hosana in the Highest songs.  Brian gave a message on Jesus, the Passover Lamb.  He talked about being aware of Jesus’ coming and cleansing our temples, us being the temple of the Holy Spirit.  He walked the church through the week that would lead up to the Last Supper and the first communion.  As a church we were planning to have a Good Friday supper together and he encouraged us to pray and really check our hearts as we prepared for taking communion as taught in 1 Corinthians 11:23-27.

As Christians we are called to share the gospel with all people, all over the world, beginning in our own neighborhoods.  In some countries this can be a very dangerous undertaking. We are very blessed in Uganda to be free to share the Gospel anytime and anywhere we want to.  It is not uncommon to see people on the street corner or outside a shopping center sharing the gospel.  At Easter, Churches here often publicly act out the triumphal entry and the crucifixion.  As a church we also go out and share with the community as well as have teams that are praying for those who are sharing and those who are hearing the gospel. Below are two pictures from other churches around Kampala acting out the Easter story and one picture of our leadership team praying for the activities taking place during this season.

On Good Friday we gathered as a church to remember what Christ did for us by going to the cross and dying for our sins so that we might receive salvation and eternal life if we believe. All the children stayed in the sanctuary to hear the message of the cross. As a church we took communion and shared a meal together.  It was a beautiful time of fellowship.

On Resurrection Sunday we celebrated Jesus rising from the grave.  The children and some of the church members had special songs prepared and Brian shared about the gift we have been given as believers because of the resurrection.  The worship and message all left me in tears as I reflected both in thankfulness and repentance, knowing that Jesus loved me so much that He died for me and now through His resurrection I also have the promise of eternal life. May we remember these truths all year long. May we always share this precious gift with those we come in contact with so they can have the hope we have.

Thank you for praying for our family and for the people of Uganda.

In Him,

Brian, Jill, Luke, Laylee, and Liana

PRAYER REQUESTS

• We are so thankful  for the many ways the Lord has blessed us and for everyone who supports us and the ministry in Uganda.
• Please pray for all the people who have heard the gospel through out this season. Pray that their hearts will be soft and that the word is deeply planted.
• Pray for all of the  Christmas/Easter Christians who came to service this past month. Pray that they were stirred up to live everyday for Christ.
• Pray health and safety as there as been much sickness going around as well as terrorism threats.
• Pray for Jill and the children as they continue homeschooling. Pray for patience for Jill and a desire to learn for the children.
• Pray for the Kanyike children to get called for their citizenship interview.
• Pray for Brian as he pastors and leads the ministry team at Arise Christian Fellowship.
• Please prayerfully consider becoming part of the Kanyike Family support team.

And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 2 Tmothy 2:2

Dear Friends and Family,

As the church grows not just in size but in maturity, it seems to be a natural result that ministry and the responsibilities of doing the ministry increases as well. To help keep the ministry flowing and  to keep the leadership from being spread too thin, it is important to train up and share some of that responsibility with mature church members.

Recently at Arise Christian Fellowship we announced we would like to train up more volunteers to help with the ministries at the church.  We were pleasantly surprised with the amount of interest that was shown.  To my delight, the majority were interested in Children’s ministry. This was a huge blessing because our children ministry can go from 65 when school is in session to 200 when school is on a break.   The next largest interest group was worship.  Our worship leader was happy about this because recently she lost 2 of her team members  due to their having to relocate because of their jobs. The new worship volunteers are quite young but very motivated.  It is a great discipleship opportunity for us with them as well as training them in worship.  We also had interest in ushering and cleaning.  One man who Brian has been discipling expressed the desire to present announcements for the church services.

With all of this interest we held a volunteer training for anyone interested.  We also had a specific Sunday school training for those interested in teaching, with some practical, hands on workshops. The training for the Sunday School teachers was done by a co-laborer of ours, called Paul.  He serves with an organization that trains Sunday school teachers all over the world.  He travels all around Uganda training Sunday School teachers.  He also has gone to our compound in Nimule to train the teachers there.  Some of our Christmas and Easter productions have been directed by Paul as well.  He is very gifted with children.

James 5:14 says, “Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.”

One of the biggest ministries we have had of late is helping the many sick chaplains who come through the Far Reaching Ministries.  Most of the chaplains have common tropical diseases but have not been able to receive the proper medicines where they are deployed deep in the bush.  We had one chaplain that had been shot seven times up near the border of North Sudan.  We praise God that he was not killed.  The doctors here even were amazed at how every bullet missed vital organs or arteries. 

Another Chaplain was in a car accident that was caused during a rebel attack. He had many injuries but the worst was his left arm was broken in several places.  The doctors put in a metal plate and screws and it is now healing very well. We have another chaplain who is recovering from a broken back.  There have been many typical sicknesses you would expect to find from age and a hard life.  It is such an encouragement when you see their health improving and they are able to come to church and testify of what God has saved them from and how they have been healed.

This year I am still homeschooling the children.  I homeschool Liana fully and Luke and Laylee are in online school as well so that they can have permanent records for highschool and eventually university.  For extra curricular activities the girls are in ballet and Luke takes karate as well as playing basketball.

Thank you for praying for our family and for the ministry in Uganda.

In Him,

Brian, Jill, Luke, Laylee, and Liana

PRAYER REQUESTS

• We are so thankful  for the many ways the Lord has blessed us and for everyone who supports us and the ministry in Uganda.
• Please pray for all the volunteers at Arise Christian Fellowship, both old and new.  Pray for them to be filled with the Spirit and gifted for the ministries they are doing.
• Pray for all of the chaplains who are ill or injured. Pray for their healing and for the testimony they are to so many.
• Pray also for Scovia who works for the FRM guesthouse as she just had surgery to remove a large lump from her neck.  Pray all the biopsies come back negative.
• Pray for Jill and the children as they continue homeschooling. Pray for patience for Jill and a desire to learn for the children.
• Pray for Brian as he pastors and leads the ministry team at Arise Christian Fellowship
• Pray for the Kanyike children to get called for their citizenship interview.

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? Isaiah 43:19

Dear Friends and Family, 

I pray you all had a blessed holiday season as you celebrated Christmas and ushered in the New Year. 

I believe Christmas is a time when people are more open then other times to hearing about Jesus.  You find people of different cultures and faiths acknowledging His birth and even celebrating. As Christians and as a church we realize acknowledging Christ’s birth is not enough to save you. During the holiday season we found the best way to celebrate Jesus’ birthday is to tell people the whole story, that He was born, lived, died for our sin, and rose again, so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.

The many different ministries at Arise Christian Fellowship reached out to the community in different ways. For the Women’s Bible Study the ladies invited friends and neighbors to come to our Christmas party. I shared about the family of Jesus leading up to His birth. I concluded with the purpose of His coming. One lady gave her life to Jesus and has said she will begin to come to church and Bible study.  We also had a meal together and gave some practical gifts to give the ladies so they could prepare Christmas at home. There were more than 20 children that attended the women’s party as well and we have them a gift of school supplies and candy.

At Church for  2 weeks before Christmas the youth were practicing everyday for at least 4 hours for the Christmas program. We included Bible lessons surrounding Christ’s birth so  that they were also learning and understanding what they were preparing for.  We encouraged them to bring friends to be a part of the time sort of like a vacation Bible school, as well. The church was literally overflowing with children. Liana was apart of all the activities and was so happy to have so many friends. On the last day of practice we had a big party and the kids had a meal and received a Christmas gift. Liana gave out candy canes.

Some of the church members went into the slums near the church and shared the gospel and a food gift with those who they knew needed it the most. They also invited them to the Christmas service.  Our church celebrated its Christmas service on Christmas eve since it was on a Sunday. Brian shared the Christmas message. We had two people share special music, one on violin and the other on saxophone.  The choir led us in worship and Christmas carols. The children and youth put on a big production. They had singing and dancing that all culminated into the telling of the Christmas story through acting.  It was very beautiful. I believe everyone was touched and everyone there understood the true meaning of Christmas. After service we had a time of fellowship with snacks and we handed out salt, sugar, and soap as Christmas gifts.

Uganda ushers the new year in with fire works. From our neighborhood you could see many different displays that were set off around Kampala. Brian gave a New Year message for the church,  looking forward to what we are praying for the church this year. He used the example of the early church to share how the church should be moving forward. We are excited to see what God has for the church and our family in 2024.

Thank you for praying for our family and for the people of Uganda.

In Him,

Brian, Jill, Luke, Laylee, and Liana

PRAYER REQUESTS

• We are so thankful  for the many ways the Lord has blessed us and for everyone who supports us and the ministry in Uganda.
• Please pray for this New Year. Pray for God’s guidance in the ministry and for His will to be done.
• Pray for those who were reached during the Christmas outreaches. Pray that they would come to church and be in fellowship. Pray for many to come to Christ.
• Pray for the youth to continue to desire to meet together and learn about Jesus.
• Pray for the Kanyike children to get called for their citizenship interview.
• Pray for Brian as he pastors and leads the ministry team at Arise Christian Fellowship.
• Please prayerfully consider becoming part of the Kanyike Family support team.

Dear Friends and Family,

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR !!

We would like to thank all of you for blessing us with your prayers and support of our family and for the ministry in Uganda.  This year has seen many ministry opportunities arise in our church and in the community.  It has been exciting to see God move in the hearts of the Ugandan people. As a  church we have enjoyed meeting together both in church and in fellowships to pray, worship and fill ourselves with the teaching of God’s Word. We look forward to this coming year to see what God has in store. You are in our thoughts and prayers as we enter this new year. God Bless You this holiday season as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus!

In Him, 

             Brian, Jill, Luke, Laylee, and Liana

Prayer Requests

• Pray for God’s direction for Arise Christian Fellowship and all the ministries in 2024
• Pray for more opportunity to share Jesus in Uganda as well as South Sudan.
• Pray for the Kanyike children to get called for USA Citizenship.
• Pray for us to raise our children for the Lord, balancing home and ministry.
• Pray about joining our support team in this upcoming year.

“To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven” Ecclesiastes 3:1

Dear Friends and Family,

This past month has been the definition of this passage in Ecclesiastes for us as a ministry and as a family. Let me start with the ministry.

For the ministry it was both a time of planting and a time of reaping. It started with the arrival of Paul. Paul is a Nigerian by birth but has spent much of his life in Russia. It was in Russia that he got born again and began to serve in the ministry. Recently Russia revoked his visa and he returned to Nigeria. Missions was still on his heart and he came to visit FRM’s ministries in Uganda and South Sudan. After spending some time at both he will be helping out the ministry at Canaan Farms in Uganda.

Not too long after Paul arrived we received Dmitry and Mark. Mark has been serving along side FRM for a very long time and Dmitry is only 20 years old. Dmitry feels very called to teaching God’s Word at this young age. After spending some time with him, Brian gave him the opportunity to share at Arise. It was Dmitry’s first time teaching in English. He is Russian. The teaching was amazing and what really made it amazing is that his English appeared to have an Ugandan accent. This made it clearer for the English speakers and easier for the translator to understand when translating. I believe God has great things instore for this young man.

Mark and Dmitry were here to be part of a larger team that was coming to teach at a conference in Masindi and at the chaplain refresher course in South Sudan. I have to say these men were used by God to help me in all the preparations and work that I had to get done to host so many people at once. I am so grateful for them and the timing in which they arrived.

A week after Mark and Dmitry arrived we received a team of 27. It is one of the largest teams we have had. They were divided into 3 groups, 2 that would begin in South Sudan for the chaplain refresher and 1 that would begin in Masindi for the Pastor/ Teacher conference. The first night they were all at the guest house Brian and I held a cultural debrief with them and shared about security, health and what to expect with the differences in culture. The team was very responsive and asked a lot of questions which is always a good thing. We prayed for the many ministries they’d be doing and for the opportunities that would arise as a result of those ministries.

The teams set off, with two of them flying on MAF to South Sudan and one driving a van to Masindi. The team in Masindi held a pastor/leader conference. Many Pastors from all around the area came. The women on the team held a women’s conference as well. Some of the team served at a new church plant in the village. They were a great encouragement to all that came. In Sudan, the team ministered to the chaplains who have been serving on the front lines and all around South Sudan. Some of the team members were able to interview and get updates from the chaplains. There were over 300 chaplains as well as other local church leaders who attended the refresher conference. The women on the team held a women’s conference as well. About halfway during their time in Africa they switched places before returning to Kampala.

This now brings me to another part of Ecclesiastes… A time to be born and a time to die. It is with great sorrow and tears that I write that we have lost Brian’s brother Augustine Serugga. He was more than Brian’s brother but Brian’s best friend, right hand man, the children’s closest uncle—bringer of weekend treats. He was 9 years younger than Brian and healthy so it is beyond shocking and painful. He was at our house on a Tuesday helping with food for the team returning.

On Wednesday he did not come for mid week service because he was not well. The Dr said he had malaria and needed to rest. On Thursday morning he said he was already feeling much better. On Thursday evening after we sent off all of the team ,we received the call that he had died. He leaves behind a widow and 4 daughters. He was so involved in every detail of our life, church, the parents business and so many others lives. We know the Lord is in control but pray as the gap he leaves is huge and the pain is great. Pray for Brian as he grieves. He saw him as the next generation he was raising up, not just as a brother but as his child in Christ. On the day of the burial, the wife of Brian’s other brother, Fred, gave birth to a baby girl.

Thank you for praying for our family and for the ministry in Uganda.

In Him,

Brian, Jill, Luke, Laylee, and Liana

PRAYER REQUESTS

• We are so thankful  for the many ways the Lord has blessed us and for everyone who supports us and the ministry in Uganda.

• Please pray for Brian and his family as they go through this very painful time of mourning. Pray for Augustine’s widow and daughters.  Pray for wisdom and guidance for the way forward.

• Pray for the team that was just here.  Pray that the Lord blesses them for their ministry. Also many of the team got malaria while here and 2 got very ill once returning home. Please pray for the health of the team.

• Pray for all of the people who were reached by the team.  Pray for those who came to know the Lord and for those who have known the Lord along time to have been refreshed.

• Pray for the Kanyike children to get called for their citizenship interview.

• Pray for Brian as he pastors and leads the ministry team at Arise Christian Fellowship.

• Please prayerfully consider becoming part of the Kanyike Family support team.

 In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18

Dear Friends and Family,

 Happy  Thanksgiving!

Everyday we have so much to be thankful for.  Somedays or seasons of life might be difficult or even painful but if you are a Christian you always have something to be thankful for. I am always thankful for the certain hope of eternity.

I am thankful that for many years I have been able to teach a midweek morning Bible study.  At the beginning of this year we took a break because of construction happening at the guest house.  By summer we were finally able to meet.  I had heard from some of my ladies that they were unable to attend because they had found jobs that would not let them take a morning off.  It was a praise report that they had found jobs but I was sad that they couldn’t come. 

I also wondered how many ladies I would have then.  To my surprise when Bible study began we were almost 20 with most of the ladies being new.  They had come to church but had never come to Bible Study before.  Amongst this new group of women there was also 2 Muslim women who were invited by these ladies and an unbelieving alcoholic.  This is definitely a new dynamic for me.  The ladies I had been teaching were mature, strong believers, some who even taught studies in their own churches or neighborhoods.  Now I am teaching ladies very young in faith and nonbelievers. 

The Lord is stretching me and teaching me as I try to best minister to them.  It also has been a reminder to me how simple God’s Word really is, that He intended for it to be able to be received and understood by all who desire.  After a couple weeks of meeting together, the new ladies from church said that they had not come before because they had thought it would be just like a church service but they are amazed that it is actually “fellowship”. We learn the Word but we also discuss it, and share testimony about how it has affected us or how we can apply it personally.

The fellowship with these ladies for me has been amazing.  Many of them I knew from church but never knew personally. Now it is a closer fellowship and even makes going to church more engaging for me as I know so many more women then before. If you wonder how come we didn’t know each other well before its because of language and culture.  The ladies had been shy to speak English with me and culture said that as their pastor’s wife they couldn’t treat me as an equal.  Now that we have been meeting in my home and we have dealt with the cultural barriers according to scripture those walls are being broken down.

Another thing I am thankful for was the unexpected opportunity to minister to children. For two months of my women’s study the Ugandan schools were on holiday. The women all came with their children and even some extras. They said that the area where they live is not safe for the children to remain at home. This turned into a mini vacation Bible school. While we met inside for our study the children met out side. They had some organized activities and played together. Liana was very helpful in keeping things organized and making sure everyone got along.

Often the children would be so excited to come that they would rush ahead and get here long before their moms. Most of these children come from the slums near the market place and have very little. While they had this holiday and were coming we made sure they were fed both spiritually and physically. If there were any leftovers I packed them up and sent them to be eaten later at home. I pray that as the kids are returning to school for their last term before Christmas that they will remember what they have learned and it will encourage them as they study and play.

I can’t believe how many babies have been born into our church since it began. I am thankful for children. The Bible says they are gifts from the Lord. While raising children may not be easy, it is a blessing. This past month we had two more children dedicated at Arise. One is called Havens and she also comes to Bible study. The other baby is called Zoey. Zoey is very spirited and active. She reminds me so much of Liana when she was a baby. As Brian was praying for her and the church member raised their hands to pray for her she reached out and tried to lay hands on Brian as if she was going to pray for him as well. It was so cute. I pray these children will continue to be raised in the Lord and that in the future they’ll be used mightily by God for His kingdom.

This Thanksgiving there are so many things to be thankful for. I am thankful for Jesus loving us so much He died for us. I am thankful that He allows me to share that love with others so that they can know His love as well. I am thankful for all of you who pray and support us and the ministry to make this possible.

In Him,

Brian, Jill, Luke, Laylee and Liana

PRAYER REQUESTS

• We are so thankful for the many ways the Lord has blessed us and for everyone who supports us and the ministry in Uganda.

• Please pray for the women who attend the women’s’ Bible study. Pray for the Muslims and unbelievers to be saved. Pray for the young believers and the more mature believers to continue to grow and to be a light to the unbelievers.

• Pray for the children of Arise. Pray for them to know Jesus personally. Pray for their parents to know the Lord and to raise them in his word. Pray for safety and provision.

• Pray for the up coming teams that will be serving in South Sudan and in Uganda. Pray all the details will come together and they will be directed by the Lord

• Pray for the Kanyike children to get called for their citizenship interview.

• Pray for Brian as he pastors and leads the ministry team at Arise Christian Fellowship.

• Please prayerfully consider becoming part of the Kanyike Family support team.

And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25

Dear Friends and Family,

Recently we have been blessed with fellowship, much needed fellowship. As full time missionaries, sometimes it can get lonely. As you minister to others and others come to you for discipleship and counsel sometimes you long for someone that you can share with and be encouraged by.

In Northern Uganda we have friends that we rarely get to see but when we do it is always encouraging and seems as if no time has passed. Our fellowship is sweet because we are in similar situations with our marriages (multicultural) and our ministries. We all have churches and minister to people who are have spiritual and physical needs. Also our children are similar in age so there is fellowship in the struggles parents face as our kids face different adolescent issues. Recently we were able to meet in Kampala and catch up on all that’s been going on in our lives, the children were able to play and we had time to pray together.

Another great time of fellowship we had was with a small team from the USA. I know Heather and pastor Bond from my home church and they have served often in Africa and Asia. Their team was serving in a couple different areas around Uganda but they also were able to come and serve along side us one weekend. Our common love for missions and raising up others to serve the Lord brought about great times of fellowship and prayer. Brian was able to enjoy pastoral encouragement spending time talking and listening to 2 other pastors. Pastor Bond shared with Arise Christian fellowship on Sunday. His message was called, “Saved life, Wasted Life” based on the story of Lot. It was something the congregation needed to hear and I believe something I had been praying about personally. While it is amazing to be saved, may we never forget to share that salvation with those around us. They also asked me to share my testimony and calling to Africa with their team. It always amazes me how far God has brought me and how I can so clearly see His hand in every step that has brought me to where I am, even in the most difficult steps.

Fellowship doesn’t always have to take place in person. We have been encouraged by those who send us notes, emails or give us a call. It is always a blessing to hear that someone is praying for you and the people you minister to. Fellowship is a two way street so we are also encouraged when we hear about other peoples’ ministries and are given the opportunity to pray for them. Recently one of the supporters for Arise Christian Fellowship reached out to us to ask the church to pray for their son who was ill. We shared with the church and everyone from the Sunday service to the Sunday school made it a mission to pray for them. Liana is still praying for him every night. We were able to send some of their prayers and words of encouragement back to the family. We pray their son is recovered and they have been blessed.

Having true fellowship with other believers is an amazing experience every Christian should be experiencing. As a missionary the hardest part of fellowship is saying goodbye when it is time to leave or to be left. It is always bittersweet. You mourn for the loss of specific fellowship but as you leave or send people off there is the excitement of, “what next Lord?”. For the last year we have had the sweetest fellowship with Sasha and Sveta. They came from Russia to do pastoral training in South Sudan. Their time here was very fruitful and they blessed us personally with friendship. They became a part of the Arise Christian Fellowship Family as well as Calvary Chapel Cush in South Sudan. They touched so many lives with the love of Christ while they were here. This past month we had to say goodbye to them as they move on to the next mission God has for them. We know that wherever they end up will be blessed by having them.

We are thankful for the fellowship we have with all of you who are both far and near. We are thankful those of you who reach out to us through various means and pray for us. We are thankful for those who reach out to us to share what is happening in their lives and ministries and who ask us to pray for them.

In Him,

Brian, Jill, Luke, Laylee, and Liana

PRAYER REQUESTS

• We are so thankful for the many ways the Lord has blessed us and for everyone who supports us and the ministry in Uganda.
• Please pray for all the missionaries serving in Uganda. Pray that they have times of fellowship with one another and with those from their home churches.
• Pray for the teams that recently came through. Pray their time will continue to bear fruit even after they have gone.
• Pray for the upcoming teams that will be serving in South Sudan and in Uganda. Pray all the details will come together and they will be directed by the Lord
• Pray for Sasha, Sveta, and Taya as they prepare for the next mission God is calling them to.
• Pray for the Kanyike children to get called for their citizenship interview.
• Pray for Brian as he pastors and leads the ministry team at Arise Christian Fellowship.
• Please prayerfully consider becoming part of the Kanyike Family support team.

“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14

Dear Friends and Family,

This past month brought us to another season in Uganda.  Its not the rainy season or the dry season, it’s the soccer season!  In Uganda, soccer, or as its called here, football, is almost everyone’s favorite pastime. Schools have soccer teams, businesses have soccer teams, the police have soccer teams, churches of every faith have soccer teams and even the various market places here in Uganda have soccer teams. Whether they play it themselves or they watch it from the sidelines, football is a national pastime.  This time of year is when the local teams are in their playoffs or tournaments. 

Arise Christian Fellowship has its own football team.  It is made up of young men most of whom received salvation through the market ministry.  They are registered in the local area with the Kampala market teams. Our church is just a couple of streets above one of the largest markets in Kampala and one of the larger slum areas.  Right now our playoffs are happening every Wednesday.  Since soccer matches always draw large crowds, and the playoffs even larger crowds, we see this as  a chance for outreach.  Church members attend the games to support our team then during breaks or half time they mingle with the crowds and find opportunity to share Christ with others.

The team themselves are not slacking when it comes to sharing their faith.  The pray and share devotions during practice and before games.  They also share Jesus with other teams they play against or practice with, always inviting them to join in their times of fellowship and prayer.  While many people respond positively to the Gospel message not everyone does.  Sometimes there is a tough resistance against our attempts at evangelism and some attitude given to our players for being Christian.  Despite any negative attention the team and church members might endure, they continue to love football and to love sharing their faith.  We pray for more opportunities like this and for those who hear the gospel to come to know Jesus personally as well as to go to a solid Bible teaching church.

I know I talk about the youth at the church quite often but the truth is they make up the majority of our church. Actually, in Uganda the youth make up the majority of the whole population. 77% of the population are under 25 years old. When I think of this I think of Jesus telling His disciples to let the children come to Him and I always think about the verse that says to train children in the way they should go and when they are old they won’t depart from it. The world as a whole is trying to teach children a way they should go and in Uganda culture and tradition is still so strong, teaching the children the way they want them to go. As a church we are trying to reach out as much as possible to the children, the teens and the young adults to point them to Jesus so His way to go fills them and protects them from all these paths that lead to no where.

At church we have a very strong Sunday school. The Sunday school teachers don’t just teach on Sunday but they have meetings down in the slums where most the kids come from. The assistant pastor has a Bible club in the area where he lives. Our teen and young adult leader has Bible studies on Saturday. The youth group also meets during the week to play games and to watch a Christian movie. Luke enjoys it especially when they organize themselves to play basketball. He is hoping to get them to play more, mostly because he loves basketball but also because they get out into the community more like the soccer team. Through the youth ministry we recently had a couple of youth who had been coming for a while who expressed their interest in getting baptized.

Talking about youth, I have to share something very sad that happened recently, involving our family.  A couple of Sundays a go I noticed my brother in-law was not at church.  Brian told me that one of their cousins who lives near by lost their child. Their child was abducted walking home from school  and he was found to have been sacrificed (beheaded).  Yes, child sacrifice is still a thing here. My brother in-law had gone to help the family make arrangements and to talk with police since obviously the child’s family was overcome with grief.  My kids always think I’m being overprotective but I think this was a wake up call for them.  The incident was in the local paper.  They have caught the woman who was responsible.  Please keep the family in prayer and continue to pray for Uganda that these horrible traditions would end and the children of Uganda would be safe.

Thank you for praying for our family and for the people of Uganda.

In Him,

Brian, Jill, Luke, Laylee, and Liana

PRAYER REQUESTS

• We are so thankful  for the many ways the Lord has blessed us and for everyone who supports us and the ministry in Uganda.
• Please pray for the soccer ministries at Arise Christian Fellowship.  Pray for the evangelism and disciple that is taking place during the playoffs.
• Pray for the Sunday school and Youth leaders as they minister to the kids in the church and in the community. 
• Pray for my kids to be a light amongst the youth they interact with during their activities.
• Pray for all the new believers and those recently baptized to continue to grow in the Lord.
• Pray for Brian’s family has they mourn for the child that was sacrificed. Pray for safety for all the children of Uganda.
• Pray for the Kanyike children to get called for their citizenship interview.
• Pray for Brian as he pastors and leads the ministry team at Arise Christian Fellowship.
• Please prayerfully consider becoming part of the Kanyike Family support team.